AI campaign deceptions: first arrest and wave of new state deepfake laws

A New York city council candidate was arrested for using AI to forge endorsements, as AI-generated political ads spread and over 30 states pass new regulations.

• On 24 June, Jonathan Rinaldi was arrested on misdemeanor forgery charges for using AI to create fake endorsements and news hits against his opponent.
• Rinaldi said his AI-generated posts were "art" and protected political speech, arguing police should not arrest people for AI-created content.
• Donald Trump shared an AI-generated video depicting Barack and Michelle Obama as apes, later removed, and an AI video of himself as a doctor.
• More than 30 states have enacted laws regulating deepfakes in political messaging, with Minnesota and Texas banning deepfakes near election day.